Food Security Resources
Connecting Students With Emergency and Long-Term Sustainable Access to Nutritious Foods
The CARES Center works to support food security for Kent State students. We work collaboratively with students and campus and community partners with the goal of connecting students' long-term sustainable food resources that meet their current needs. We assist students facing a range of difficulties, from immediate emergency need to ongoing hardships accessing sustainable nutritious food.
Flashes Food Pantry
- Suite 106 of the Kent Student Center
Flashes Food Pantry Reservation Request Form for May 2025
Summer 2025 Pantry Guidelines:
- Students must complete the Pantry Request Form and Agreement before visiting the CARES Center Food Pantry.
- Students must be registered in at least one course for the Summer 2025 or Fall 2025 semester.
- Students must bring their personal photo ID. Students are not permitted to utilize the photo ID belonging to another individual.
- CARES Center Pantry Schedule for Summer 2025 (No reservations needed.)
- Traditional Pantry Hours: Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays | 10:30 AM to 4 PM
- Students have 5 minutes to shop and 5 minutes for check-out.
- Students receive 10 points for dry goods and an allotted quantity for fruits and veggies.
- Produce-Only Pickup Hours: Thursdays | 10:30 AM to 4 PM
Pop-Up Pantry Hours: Various Fridays | 10:30 AM while supplies last
- Traditional Pantry Hours: Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays | 10:30 AM to 4 PM
Flashes Fighting Hunger Weekly Food Pantry
Flashes Fighting Hunger is a student-powered and volunteer-driven organization dedicated to reducing food waste and promoting food security. They provide fresh items and baked goods for Fresh Food Fridays at the Flashes' Food Pantry. Follow this link to connect with Flashes Fighting Hunger to learn more about their many initiatives.
Swipe Out Hunger Emergency Meal Swipes
Through a partnership with Swipe Out Hunger and University Culinary Services, students can donate up to two (2) meal swipes to our virtual emergency meal swipe bank through the student dashboard tab on FlashLine. Students in need of emergency meal swipes can then request up to two (2) Swipe Out Hunger emergency meal swipes on FlashLine per academic semester. These emergency meal swipes can be used at Eastway and the Design Innovation Hub dining locations. Students can receive only two (2) emergency meal swipes per academic semester.
Brimfield Community Cupboard - Kent, Ohio
Website: Use this link to get more information about the Brimfield Community Cupboard an Akron Canton Food Bank partner.
Phone Number: 234-817-1284
Location: Follow this link to get directions to the Brimfield Community Cupboard.
Catholic Charities
Website: Use this link to find a Catholic Charities location in your county.
Location Information:
- 330-297-7745 | Portage County Site – 206 West Main St., Ravenna, Ohio 44266 | Click for directions to the Portage Country Site.
- 330-491-0896 | Stark County Site – 800 Market Ave. N, Suite 1150, Canton, Ohio 44702 | Click for directions to the Stark County Site.
Celiac and Allergy Friendly Food Initiative (CAFFI) –Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
Website: Use this link to get more information about CAFFI.
Pantry Dates: Visit the CAFFI Facebook page for pantry dates.
Phone Number: 330-603-7644
Location: 116 Tallmadge Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
Center of Hope – Ravenna, Ohio
Website: Use this link to get more information about the Amelia DiGirolamo Center for Hope.
Phone Number: 330-297-5454
Location: 1081 W. Main St. Ravenna, Ohio 44266
Church of Christ Ravenna Food Pantry – Ravenna, Ohio
Website: Use this link to get more information about the Food Pantry at Church of Christ Ravenna.
Phone Number: 330-296-3637
Location: 3897 Summit Road, Ravenna, Ohio 44266
Friendship Alliance Church: Mobile Food Pantry – Chagrin Falls, Ohio
Website: Use this link to learn more about the Mobile Food Pantry
Phone Number: 440-834-0955
Location: 19126 Ravenna Road, Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44023
Kent Social Services: Hot Meals & Food Pantry – Kent, Ohio
Website: Use this link to learn more about Kent Social Services hot meals and food pantry services.
Phone: 330-673-6963
Location: 1066 South Water Street, Kent, Ohio 44266
Lydia’s Apron Food Pantry at St. Stephan Community Church. – Stow, Ohio
Website: Use this link to learn more about Lydia’s Apron Food Pantry.
Phone Number: 330-688-7213
Location: 3725 Kent Road, Stow, Ohio 4424
Portage County WIC (Women, Infants, and Children)
Website: Use this link to learn more about Portage County’s WIC program.
Phone Number: 715-345-5350 option 6
Riverwood Community Chapel | Akron Canton Food Bank – Kent, Ohio
Website: Use this link to learn more about Riverwood Community Chapel’s food pantry.
Phone Number: 330-678-7000
Location: 1407 Fairchild Ave., Kent, Ohio 44240
Salvation Army: Portage County Corps – Food and Nutrition Programs
Website: Use this link to learn more about Salvation Army Portage County Corps - Food and Nutrition Programs.
Phone Number: 330-296-8450
Location: 268 W. Main Street, Ravenna, Ohio